Lunar
Control an external monitor's brightness from your Mac
The verdict
Press your Mac's brightness keys and an external monitor actually responds, because Lunar talks to the monitor's own controls instead of laying a dark filter over the screen. The free version handles brightness and volume but caps you at 100 adjustments a day. Pro, $23 once for up to 5 Macs, syncs the monitor with your MacBook screen; if you only want key control, the free MonitorControl does it with no daily cap.
Get it if
You work on a MacBook plus an external monitor and want both screens to dim and brighten together.
Skip it if
You only need the brightness keys to work on a monitor; MonitorControl does that free with no daily limit.
Screenshots 2
What it helps you do
- Change monitor brightness with your Mac's keys
- Match your monitor's brightness to your MacBook
- Dim a screen below its lowest setting
- Switch monitor inputs from your Mac
Plans and prices
Free
FreeFree, keyboard brightness and volume control with 100 adjustments a day
Pro
$23$23 once, lifetime license on up to 5 Macs, with a 14-day free trial
What changed
Version 6.11.3
Added to The Useful Apps
Pick something else if
BetterDisplayPick it if text looks soft on the non-Apple monitor you plug your MacBook into every day.Free to start
PresentifyPick it if you share your screen on calls or record how-to videos and want people to see exactly where to look.$14.99 once
MonitorControlPick this if you only want your keyboard's brightness and volume keys to work on an external monitor.Free, open source
Lunar head to head
The details
- Runs on
- Mac
- Requires
- macOS 12 or later
- Version
- 6.11.3
- Menu bar app
- Lives in the menu bar
- Shortcuts
- Works with the Shortcuts app
- Free trial
- Try the paid version first
Developer's websiteSpot a wrong price or fact?